Anthony Joshua versus Jake Paul could mark the end of Paul’s brief yet headline-grabbing boxing career. Following his victory over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. this past Saturday, Paul floated the idea of a future bout with Joshua. This isn’t the first time Paul has expressed interest in facing the two-time undisputed heavyweight champion, and such a matchup would undoubtedly capture widespread attention due to their combined star power.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn endorsed the potential fight, though he expressed concerns about Paul’s well-being. “Look, he’s calling out Gervonta Davis, who is a 135-pound lightweight, and he’s calling out Anthony Joshua, that’s a heavyweight monster,” Hearn remarked. “I think Jake Paul is crazy enough to fight Anthony Joshua because the money would be absolutely obscene. It’s a catastrophic mismatch that people would tune in to watch because it would lead to the end of Jake Paul. Hopefully, not literally, but it’s that dangerous. It’s a fight that I don’t think should really happen if I’m honest.”
The Rise of Jake Paul in Boxing
Since making his professional boxing debut in 2020, Jake Paul has compiled a 12-1 record, primarily against opponents with significant name value, albeit not current boxing elites. His list of victories includes former UFC stars such as Nate Diaz, Anderson Silva, Tyron Woodley, Mike Perry, and Ben Askren. However, Paul has yet to face a notable current boxer in the ring.
The most significant, albeit controversial, victory in Paul’s career was against heavyweight legend Mike Tyson. The fight, which aired live on Netflix this past November, saw Paul win a unanimous decision over the 58-year-old Tyson. Despite the criticism, it broke viewership records, showcasing Paul’s ability to draw an audience.
“I will say about Jake Paul, I do think you start having to give him a margin of respect,”
Hearn acknowledged.
“This guy is going through the motions, he’s putting the hard spars in, he just went 10 rounds with, yes, a washed-up fighter, but a former world champion that did train for that fight. They’re very clever in terms of the opponents they pick. They’re not going to gamble unless the money is out of control and it wouldn’t surprise me if Jake Paul wanted to move forward with an Anthony Joshua fight.”
Anthony Joshua’s Career Trajectory
Anthony Joshua, with a record of 28-4, is coming off a disappointing knockout loss to Daniel Dubois this past September, which ended his four-fight win streak. Joshua was attempting to capture Dubois’ IBF title at the time. The British star has also engaged in novelty fights, most notably achieving a knockout against former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in March 2024.
It remains uncertain whether Joshua will aim for another title opportunity or entertain the idea of a bout with Paul. “He’s not exactly looking at Jake Paul going, ‘That’s my dream opponent,’” Hearn said of Joshua. “Would he go in there and give him a hiding for a massive chunk of money? Probably. I’ll be saying, ‘Yeah, go on. I’d like to see it.’”
Jake Paul’s Inclusion in Cruiserweight Rankings
This week, the WBA included Paul in its cruiserweight rankings, placing him at No. 14. While Hearn does not believe Paul has proven himself at that level yet, he acknowledges the influencer-turned-boxer’s progress, especially given his late start in the sport.
“I think a lot of these governing bodies, although they’re governing bodies, some of them are kind of commercially led,”
Hearn commented.
“They think it’s going to benefit them to have Jake Paul in their rankings. I think Jake Paul is in the top 100 in the world in the cruiserweight division and by the way, I don’t think that’s an awful achievement given the fact this guy found boxing in his mid-20s and I think he’s doing well. I think he’s improving. Is he world class? Absolutely not. But he is improving and he’s a lot better than a lot of fighters out there, so in a way, good luck. Can’t believe I’ve said it, but in a way, good luck.”
The Future of Celebrity Boxing Matches
The potential fight between Joshua and Paul underscores the growing trend of celebrity boxing matches, which blend entertainment with sport. While purists may scoff at the notion, these bouts draw massive audiences and generate significant revenue, making them an attractive proposition for promoters and fighters alike.
As the boxing world continues to evolve, the lines between traditional boxing and entertainment spectacles blur further. Whether Joshua and Paul will indeed face off remains to be seen, but the conversation alone highlights the shifting dynamics within the sport.
For now, the boxing community and fans alike will watch closely as these developments unfold, pondering the implications for the future of boxing and the role of celebrity fighters within it.
